Three people have been found safe after their boat capsized in the Bay of Islands this morning.
Coastguard said it was alerted by police around 7am that a vessel had sunk off Wairoa Bay near Waitangi in the Bay of Islands.
They said one person managed to swim to shore and raise the alarm, while two others were still in the water.
In an update just after 9am, police said the two missing had since been located "both with minor injuries".
"Inquiries remain ongoing to determine the exact circmstances surrounding the incident, however it appears the dinghy they were in has sunk at about 3am," a police spokesperson said.
Coastguard said earlier that five volunteers from Coastguard Bay of Islands immediately launched rescue vessel Bay Rescue 2 to help with the search, alongside a Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
"At around 8.30am, the second person was found safely washed ashore. Shortly after, the helicopter located the third person, who was winched to safety," a Coastguard spokesperson said.
An Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters spokesperson said the crew responded to the water north of Onewhero Bay to assist police and Coastguard.
"On our arrival two people had swum to shore," they said.
"We located and winch extracted the third person who was on the rocks in a moderate condition. The person was flown to Waitangi Bike Park where they were transported to hospital by road ambulance."
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